Wiredrawing machine



Jan. 30, 1934. c. E. TRAXEL 1,945,339

WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13. 1929 11 Sheets$heet 1 INVENTOR war/5.! Z 7im e/ ATTORNEYS C. E. TRAXEL WIREDRAWING- MACHINE Jan. 30, 1934.

Filed Nov. 13. 1929 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1934. Q E, TRAXEL 1,945,339

WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13. 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet S t Z h l 2 J8 czm/w z? Wi y A'ITORN EYS Jan. 30, 1934. c. E. TRAXEL WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13. 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR aal/csl 7/ axe/ ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1934.

C. E. TRAXEL I WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13. 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 30, 1934. c. E. TRAXEL 1,945,339

' WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Jan 30,1934. TRAXEL 1,945,339

WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed NOV. 13, 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS c. E. TRAXEL WIREDRAWING MACHINE Jan. 30, 1934.

I 11 Sheets-Sheet -8 Filed Nov. 13. 1929.

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Jan. 30, 1934- c E. TRAXEL 1,945,339

WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed NOV. 15, 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR (kw/4am? Ziaxe/ M 6M4 vail ,m'm

ATTORNEY'.

Jan. 30, 1934. I Y c. E. TRAXEL 1,945,339

' WIREDRAWING momma:

Filed Nov. 13. 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet l0 ATTORNEY Jan. 30, 1934. c. E. TRAXEL WIREDRAWING MACHINE Filed Nov. '13. 1929 ll Sheets-Sheet l1 INVENTOR [kw/A: Z? 7raxe/ ATTORNEY;

Patented Jan. 30,1934

' UNITED STATES 1,945,339 WIREDRAWING MACHINE Charles E. Traxel, Rome, N. Y, assignor to General Cable Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 13, 1929 Serial No. 406,757

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to wire-drawin machines. I

One object ofthe invention is the provision of an efiicient, high-speed wire-drawing machine 5 which is simple in design and economical and compact in construction; which is readily accessible for stringing as well as for repair; and which may be operated continuously to produce a high-quality wire free from scratches and breaks.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification, wherein a preferred and illustrative embodiment of the invention has been selected for purposes of de-. scription. In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a wiredrawing machine embodying the invention, the door for the wire-drawing compartment being shown in its open position; I

Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevational and top plan views, respectively, of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, verticalsectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a similar view but taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the wire-draw -ing apparatus and illustrating the manner in which said apparatus is connected with the actuating mechanism;

Fig. 6a is a detail sectional view of the upper roll showing an alternative roll construction.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front-elevational view, partially broken away, showing the wire-drawing apparatus in the drawing compartment; I

Figs. 8 and 9 are side and plan views, respectively, partially in section, of a preferred spooling mechanism;

Figs. 10 and 11 are left and right-hand elevational views, respectively, of the spooling mechanism of Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 12' is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 13 is aview similar to Fig. 10, but showin the spool gauge in engagement with the spool and the friction pins released.

In the following description of the illustrative embodiment'of the invention, the general struc- (Cl. 205--16)o lastly, the illustrative spooling mechanism,

whereby the finished strand 'may be woundeven! ly and smoothly on a-spool-at substantiallya uniform tension.

- Referring first to thegeneral structural vfeatures of the apparatus as a whole, it be seen that a base portionl has an elongated pipe 2 mounted on its front side 3 by means of U-, bolts 4; that a'housing or compartment 5 for the actuating mechanism is mounted on an upper side 6 of the base portion 1; that a wire-drawing compartment '7 is secured to a front side 8 of the compartment 5; that a capstan 9 isprovided for pulling the wire from the drawing compartment '7; and that spooling mechanism 11 is provided for winding the wire as it passes from the capstan 9. i

Coming now to the wire-drawing mechanism, and referring particularly to Figs. 1, 6 and 7, it is desirable that such mechanism produce a wire not only with a minimum amount of breakage but also one which is free from scratches. It is also desirable that wear due to slippage bereduced toa minimum, and that such wear as does occur be uniformly distributed. Moreover, maximum visibility and accessibility of the apparatus in the wire-drawing compartment '1 from the front'of the machine is also a desideratum. Ac-

- cording to the present invention, and in order to meet the above conditions, it is proposed to provide, among other things, a. pairof improvedwiresupporting rolls 12 and 13, with means therebetween for causing a change in the entrance angle of the wire as-it enters a multiple series of dies 14. Referring first to the upper roll 12, about which the wire is passed, as shown in Fig. 6, the roll preferably comprises a plurality of idlers 15, there being one idler aligned with each die. The idlers 15 may be loosely mounted conveniently on a tubular bearing member 16 having counter bored end portions provided with bearing sleeves 17 and 18. These sleeves are journaled on a stationary tubular member 19, which extends through an opening 21 in the rear wall of the.

wire compartment 7 and which is rigidly clamped between the two halves of a block 22 positioned in the compartment 5., The block 22 also has a bearing portion 23 for one end of a hollow shaft 24, the opposite end of which is suitably supported in a spaced bearing 25, so that a driving 5 gear-wheel ,26 may-be mounted therebetwee n on the shaft 24. A shaft section 27 may be positioned within the stationary supporting sleeve 19. Preferably, the

outside diameter of the shaft section 27 is less than the inside diameter of'the stationary sleeve 19 so as to provide a longitudinal oil chamber therebetween. One end of the shaft section 27 is secured to the hollow shaft 24 on which the gearwheel 26 is mounted, and the other end is provided with a beveled portion 28 and a threaded portion 29. A plate member 31 may be clamped onithe beveled portion 28 by means of a nut 32 which is mounted on the threaded portion 29. The plate member 31 is secured to a cap member 33 as by circumferentially spaced, radially extending'tongues 34 which engage circumferentially spaced openings in the inner edge of the cap member 33. The cap member 33 is bolted or otherwise secured to a transversely extending flange portion 35 on the outer end of the rotary bearing sleeve or member 16.

Thus, the turning of the gear-wheel 26, through the shaft sections 24 and 27, the plate member 31 and the end cap 33, causes the turning of the bearing member 16 for the idlers 15. In actual practice, the bearing member 16 is caused to turn slightly faster than the wire turns the fastestidler of the series. As a result, the frictional re sistance of the bearing member 16 to the turning idlers 15 is reduced to zero, so that one retarding force heretofore present in wire-drawing apparatus has been eliminated and, as a consequence, breakage is decreased.

As shown in Fig. 6, each of the idlers 15 is preferably provided with a side flange 36 which extends over the circumferential, wire-engaging surface of ,the next idler and closely fits the comer thereof. Hence, should the loop of wire passing over an idler move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, it would engage the integral side flange 36 of this idler; but should the loop of wire move to the right, it would engage the side flange of the nextadjacent idler. Thus, the wire cannot possibly leave -one idler and wedge between two adjoining idlers, and only a limited lateral movement is possible.

Since it is desirable that the compound for the dies 14 be prevented from reaching the lubricating material contained in the compartment 5, ,a labyrinth seal is provided for the opening 21. One such seal is illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein it will be noted that a base plate 37 is secured to an adjacent portion of the rear wall of the compartment '7, and it is provided with an internally threaded aperture adapted to receive an externally threaded portion of a bushing 38. The bushing 38 surrounds a projecting end portion 39 of the bearing sleeve 18, the latter extending through the aperture 21 into the compartment 5. The bushing 38 engages an adjacent end of the rotary bearing member 16 and serves to take the end thrust thereof. End thrust'in the opposite direction is taken by means of a ring 40 removably mounted on an outer end of thestationary member 19 in abutting relation to the bearing sleeve 1'7. v

A rotary member 41 constituting another portion of the labyrinth seal is loosely mounted on I the bearing member 16 between the bushing 38 and the inner idler 15 of the series, and it is provided with a flange portion 42 which abuts against the adjacent side of the bushing 38. The stationary member 37 is provided with a forwardly projecting. circular flange 43, while the rotary member 41 is provided with a rearwardly projecting flange 44which fits closely between the flange 43 and an adjacent peripheral portion of the bushing 38. In this manner, the passage of compound from the wire drawing compartment 7 into the compartment 5 is prevented, for it must pass between the closely fitting portions of the labyrinth seal.

Fig. 6a illustrates an alternative roll construction, wherein it will be noted that conveniently each of the idlers is mounted on a collar 15a carried by the tubular member ,16 and that a washer 16a is positioned between. adjacent hub portions 17a. of each pair of idlers and their respective supporting collars 15a. The length of each of the collars 15a is slightly greater than the thickness .of the hub portions 17a, so that each idler may have adequate running clearance. The several collars 15a and washers 16a may be clamped in position between the outer end flange 35 of the tubular member 16 and the labyrinth seal member 41 by means of a nut 1811 which is conveniently positioned between the bushing 38 and the member 41 and is in threaded engagement with the inner end of the tubular member 16.

When the collars 15a and the washers 16a are clamped in position by the nut 18a, these parts turn with the tubular member 16, becoming, in effect, a part thereof, so that the idlers are assured. an anti-friction support.

Referring next to theroll 13, over which the wire is looped as it passes from the dies 14, it will be-noted that this' roll is conveniently positioned below the upper roll 12 and to the right thereof, as viewed in Fig. 1, so that the wire extending between the two rolls is disposed at an angle of approximately thirty degrees. In accordance with the present invention, the roll 13 is designed to serve as a wire-pulling or drawing member, whereby the wire passing around the rolls 12 and 13 may be drawn through the multiple series of dies 14. As shown in Fig. 6, the roll 13 is conveniently formed with a wire-engaging sleeve 46 of cylindrical form, and it is preferably of cast iron rather than steel. It has been found that a wire slipping on a cast iron roll does not make a groove with such sharp edges as are present in a roll formed of harder materials such as'steel.

Conveniently, the sleeve may be mounted at its opposite ends on a tubular supporting member 47. Inward movement of the. sleeve 46 is limited by a flange portion 48 of the member 47, while outward movement is normally prevented by means of a cap member 49 which fits in a recess formed in the end of the sleeve 46 and which is removably secured to the member 47 by suitable fastening means, such, for example, as screws 51. The member 47 may be provided with bearing sleeves 52 and 53 which engage a stationary tubular supporting member 54. The member 54 extends from the drawing compartment 7 through an aperture 55 into the compartment 5 where it is suitably clamped in position similar to the tubular member 19 associated with the upper roll 12. The outer end of the tubular member 54 carries a removable ring 56 which is threaded thereto and positioned to abut against an adjacent shoulder on the tubular member 47 and the outer bearing sleeve 52. A driving shaft section 57 extends through the supporting member 54 and it is secured at its inner end to a shaft section 58 which is supported similar to the shaft section 24 and which carries a gear-wheel 59. The outer end of the shaft section 5'7 carries a removable plate member 61 which may be se-.

Thepassage of com ound from the wire compartment '7 to thecompartment 5 through the aperture is prevented by means of a labyrinth seal, which is constructed on the same .general lines as the labyrinth seal associated with the upper roll 12. More specifically, this. seal comprises a stationary base plate 63 whichis secured to the rear wallof the wire compartment 7 and a bushing 64. One portion of the bushing 64 surrounds an extendedportion '65 of the bearing sleeve 53, while'another portion 66 abuts against an adjacent side of member 47, affording a thrust bearing surface for the roll 13. The labyrinth seal is completed by means of telescoping flange portions 6'? and 68 which extend, respectively, from the base plate 63 and the member 4'7, as shown in Fig. 6. When it is desirable to replace the wire-engaging sleeve portion 46 of the lower roll 13' for one reason or another, it is necessary only to remove the end cap' 49. Should conditions require the removal of both the sleeve 46 dies 14preferably alternate with the lower series, so that there is provided one die for each of the I idlers 15. After flowingthrough and around the dies 14, the compound passes directly onto the lower driving or wire-pullingroll 13, where it tends tofacilitate the slipping and transverse movement of the loops of wire, as will presently appear.

" From the roll'13, the compound flows directly to the bottom portion of the wire-drawing comof the dies and the condition-known as loading". It isnoted that the pipe 2 may conveniently serve asa common return for a plurality and the tubular member 4'7, the plate member 61,

as well as the ring 56, must also be removed.

Heretofore, considerable difliculty and much annoyance has been experienced in wire-drawing machines by reason of a condition known as loading, wherein copperv dust accumulates in the dies, thereby causing more than normal die This loading condition also prevents the free entrance of compound intothe .dies. The present invention contemplates'the solution of the problem by periodically changing the entrance angle of the wire as it passes into the dies, as for example, byimparting an oscillatory movement to the dies in order to change the entrance,-

angle of the wirewith respect-thereto.

Referring in particular to'Figs. 6 and 7, it will be observed that a die holder 69 is provided for the multiple series .of dies '14, which is positioned between the rolls 12 and 13; and that it comprises a cylindrical portion 70 which is mounted for pivotal as well as axial movement on a tubular member 71. The member '71 extends outwardly into the wire compartment 7' from a hollow casing or. housing 72 suitably supported on a bracket 73 mounted on the rear wall of the compartment 7. The hollow casing 72 may be connected to piping 74 which extends vertically fromthe wire compartment 7 through the top wall thereof to a source of supply (not shown) containing the lubricating compound for the dies 14. This compound passesfrom the housing 72 into the tubular member '11 and it is prevented from escaping from the outer end thereof by means of a closure plug '15. An intermediate portion of the tubular member '71 is conveniently provided with apertures '76 through which the compound-escapes into an axial chamber 77 formed in the tion of the die holder 69.

The multiple series of dies 14 maybe convenlently positioned in engagement with a pair of spaced, transversely extending, slotted-flanges-al on the upper side 79 of the flange portion 80 of the die holder 69, so as tobe in the path of flow of the compound. The dies 14 may be'conveniently held in'this'position. by the wire asfit moves downwardly from the upper roll 12 to the lower roll' 13.. The flange portion 80 may be conveniently provided with side flanges 82. The upper series of of machines, and, moreover, since it may be secured to thebase portion 1 of these machines it' serves asa convenient means for aligning the machines.

Preferably, the die holder 69 is not only pivot- I ally and slidablysupported on the tubular member 71 but it is also slidably supported on an elongated shoulder 84 constituting an integral extension of the bracket 73.. As illustrated in-Fig. 7, the supporting surface may be recessed to receive a plurality of anti-friction rollers 85'which serve to take the thrust of the die holder 69 due to the movement of the wire through the dies 14. Conveniently the rollers '85, may be maintained in position by removable pins 85a,respectively positioned at the opposite ends ofthe shoulder 84.

The'operation of the apparatus just described is briefly as follows: assuming" that a wire, which passes' into the wire compartment 7 from a sup,- ply spool 86 overguiding pulleys 87 and 88, has been passed in successive turns around the idlers 15 of the upper roll 12 and in successive loops 9 It"will' therefore be observed that the angle of entrance of the wire at the dies 14 is constantly varied in accordance with the reciprocation of the die holder 69. As a result, the clogging of the dies 14 is prevented and the continuous entrance around thesurface'of the lower roll 13 and has of compound into the' dies assured.- It is noted that the lateral movement of any given loop of wire on the lower drawing roll 13 is preferably greater than the distance between adjacent loops along the surface of the roll 13, so that the surface 'of the roll 13 is worn substantially evenly over the fulllength thereof. 1 1 per side '19 of a downwardly inclined flange por- Proceeding with the description of the ma-, chine, the actuating mechanism for the machine is illustrated in its preferred form in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7. As therein shown, a source of power, such, for example, as an electric motor 91, is connected directly to the shaft section 58 through a flexible coupling 92. The motor 91 may be supported on a bracket 93 adjustably mounted on the rear side of the base portion 1 of the machine;

or the base portion 1 may be provided with a chamber and the motor 91 positioned therein.

.the initial heavy pull on the wire when the machine is started.

In accordance with the invention, power is transmitted to the tubular bearing member 16 for the idlers through the gear-wheel 59, a gearwheel 94 which meshes with the gear-wheels 59 .and 26, the gear-wheel 26, the shaft sections 24 and 27 and the members 31 and 33 on the outer end of.the roll 12. The gear-wheel 94 is supported on a horizontal shaft section 95 which is suitably mounted in spaced bearings. Suitable means are provided for transmittingpower from the shaft section 95 to the die holder 69 so as to reciprocate the same, said means being herein 1 shown as including a pair of bevel gearewheels 96 and 97 which are respectively mounted on the shaft section 95 and an inclined upwardly extending shaft section 98. The inclined shaft section 98 may be rotatably supported in any desired manner, as by spaced bearings mounted on a bracket 99 which is removably secured to the front wall of the compartment 5. Intermediate these bearings, a worm 101. 'is mounted which meshes with a wheel 102 supported on a tubular member 103 journaled on anti-friction bearings 104 canied by a stem 105 extending from a suitably supported bracket 106.

The tubular member 103 may be provided with an eccentric portion 107 and a surrounding strap 108, the latter being connected to one arm of a horizontally positioned lever 109 fulcrumed at 111. The end of the arm to which the eccentric strap 108 is connected is provided with a link 112, the lower end of which is pivotally secured to an arm 113 carried on an outer end of a rocker shaft 114. As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, the rocker shaft 114 is joumaled in a casing 115 which closes an adjacent opening 116 in the rear wall of the wire compartment ,7. An intermediate portion of the rocker shaft 114 is connected by an arm 117 and a link 118 to the side flange 82 of the die holder 69. Hence, when the motor 91 is operated,"power is transmitted to the die holder 69 so as to reciprocate the same, through the gear-wheels 59 and 94, the bevel gear-wheels '96 and 97, the worm-and-wheel mechanism 101 and 102, the eccentric andstrap 107 and 108 and the linkage 109, 112,v 113, 117 and 118. At the same time, power is indirectly transmitted to the upper roll 12 through the gearing, but directly transmitted to the pulling roll 13 which requires the largest amount of power.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5. the upper end of the inclined shaft section 98 is connected by bevel gear-wheels 119 to a horizontally positioned shaft 121 carryi on its outer end the capstan 9. The capstan 9 serves to pull the wire from the compartment 7 through a finishing die 123 which is positioned on the top of said compartment immediately adjacent to the capstan 9. The capstan 9 and the drawing roll 13 areoperated so that the speed of the last pass of wire over the roll 13 is slightly less than the surface speed of the roll. Thus, there is slippage on the roll. 13

for even the fastest pass. Such slippage is especially desirable in the present machine so that the lateral slipping of the turnsof wire due to the oscillation of the dies may be facilitated. It will be noted that the present mounting of the capstan 9 and the finishing die 123 results in the complete protection thereof from the compound spray present in the wire compartment 7, so that the finished wire leaves the machine clean as well as dry.

Coming now to the preferred means for oiling the actuating mechanism: as shown in Fig. 5, the remaining free end of the eccentric-actuated arm 109 is positioned between a pair of abutments 124 respectively engaged by a pair of springs 125. The opposite ends of these springs are respectively secured by collars 126 to a vertically reciprocatory, tubular member 127. A lower end of the member 127 extends into a tubular housing 128 which terminates at a point just above the bottom wall of the compartment 5 so as to be below the level of the oil or other lubricating fluid contained therein. The adjacent lower ends of the tubular housing 128 and the reciprocal plunger 127 are respectively provided with spaced ball valves 129 and 131, which are oppositely related, so that when the plunger 127 is moved in one direction, oil is forced into the chamber between the two valves, and' when moved in the opposite direction the oil is forced out of said chamber into the portion of the plunger 127 above the upper valve 131. The oil in this portion of the plunger quicklyreaches the upper end thereof and flows into a distributing chamber 132 having a plurality of outlet pipes 133 extending to the various bearings positioned in the compartment 5; One such pipe may extend to a point just above the worm 101 and its co-acting wheel 102, so that the same may be lubricated. In the operation of this oil pump, should the plunger 127 become wedged or fail to move in response to the actuation of the lever 109, one of the springs 125 merely compresses and the continued movement of the lever 109 is not interfered with.

Proceeding further with the description of the invention, and more especially the spooling mech- 7 winding the wire passing from the capstan 9 onto such spool, it is necessary that a constant tension be maintained on the wire as the diameter of the spool increases, and one method of maintaining such tension is by means of a fluid-pressure motor which is shown partially in horizontal section and partially in elevation in Fig. 9. This motor conveniently comprises a rotor 137 which is mounted in a chamber 138 immediately adjacent to a nozzle 139 having an adjustable needle valve 141. Thenozzle 139 is connected to a source of fluid under pressure (not shown).

The rotor 137 conveniently is mounted on a section 142 of the spindle 136 which is supported on anti-friction bearings 143 carried by a sleeve 144. The sleeve 144 may be clamped in position between the'two halves of -a casing 145 whichis suitably supported, as by a pair of spaced members 146, (one of which is directly back of the other in Fig. 8) secured to a top side of the compartment 5. Adjacent ends of the shaft section 142 and a shaft section 147 upon which the spool 134 is mounted may be interconnected by means of an axially adjustable flexible coupling device 150 148. As shown in Fig. 9, this device may take the form of a flat steel strip14'9, the opposite ends of which project through'slots 151 formed in a pair of spaced pins 152. The'pins. 152 are respectively mounted in apertures formed in the adjacent ends of theshaft sections 142 and 147 and are secured in position by fastening means such has cotter pins 153. The adjacent ends of these shaft sections are also provided with short axial slots or recesses 154 so as to receive the end portions of the connecting spring strip 149. In this manner, a flexibleas well as axially adjustable connection is obta'inedbetween the two shaft sections 142 and 147. The shaft section147 may be suitably joumaled, as in the case of the shaft section 142, and it is enclosed in a longitudinally adjustable supporting sleeve or hearing mem-- rotor speed, the driving torque being a maximum for ,low speeds and a minimum for high speeds.

It will be observed, therefore, that the tension on the wire passing from the capstan 9 is substantially constant as the diameter of the spool 134 increases, inasmuch as the speed of rotation of the spool 134 decreaseswith increasein diameter,

as the successive layers of wire are wound thereon.

' In the wire on the spool 134, it is de- 'sirable that the surface of each layer be level and uniform and that each'layer of wire extend across the full width of the spool. Suitable means are provided for accomplishing this desired result,

the same being herein shown as including a wireguiding wheel or member 156. Referring to Fig.

7 8, wherein the wheel 156 is shown partially in section, it is noted that the wheel 156 is rotatably mounted on an outer end of and 157-which is mounted for axial sliding movement in spaced 161. The bracket member 161 maybe conveniently mounted onthe adjacent top portion of the wire compartment 7 and the compartment 5 by means of supporting members 162. A supporting-housing 163 for the axially adjustable member 155 is similarly supported by members 164 on the top portion of the wire compartment 7.

Referring further to the wire-guiding means, the rear end of the rod 157 is threaded to receive a nut 165. The nut 165 is secured toa lever 166 having an adjustable fulcrum point provided by a block 168 which is mounted on the lever 166 and movable longitudinally .thereof. The block 168 is suitably connected to one end of a lever 169, which is pivotally mounted at 171 on the supporting bracket 161.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 12, the remaining end of the lever 169 is suitably connected to a vertically adiustable rod 172, an

upper end of which passes through a horizontal flange portion 173 of the bracket 161 and is the path of travel of the wire-guiding membe 156 may be shortened or lengthened.

Proceeding further with the description of the distributing mechanism, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the lower end of the lever 166 is connected by a link 175 to'a lever 176 suitably mounted on a bracket portion 177 of the rear wall of the compartment 5. In accordance with the invention, the lever 176 may be conveniently reciprocated by means of a pair of rods 178 and 179, the outer ends of which are respectively provided with antifriction rollers 180 which engage the end portions of thelever 176. The inner ends of these rods are also provided with anti-friction-.rollers 181 which engage diametrically opposite points on a cam 182 rigidly secured on the rotatable member 103 inabutting relation to the worm-wheel 102. In order to eliminate substantially all back-lash from the actuating mechanism for. the wireguiding member 156, one of therods, say 178, is 5 formed in two parts, with a spring 183 positioned therebetween. Thus, the rotation-of the cam 182, by meansof power transmitted from the driving motor 91 through the reduction gear-wheel mechanism previously'described, causes a pivotal movement of the lever 176 which is neither accelerated nor retarde'd. This movement is transmitted through the linkage 175 and 16.6 to the reciprocally mounted rod 157, causingthe wire- .guiding member 156 to be moved back and forth between the flanges of the spool 134.

Should it be desirable to change the locationof the path of travelof' the wire-guiding member 156, it is necessary only to turn the rod 157 in one direction or the other. For example, should the'shaft be turned clock-wise, as viewed in Fig.

10, the nut 165 and cooperating threaded portion of the rod 157 cause a shifting of the path of travel of the wire-guiding member 156.to the v right, as viewed in Fig. 8. Conveniently, such movement occurs against the force of a spring 184 which is positioned between the nut 165 and a collar 185 mounted on the rod 157. A reverse movement of the rod 157, of course, adjusts the path of travel of the wire-guiding member 156 to 120, the left, as viewed in Fig. 8. i

It frequently happens. that when a spool is placed on the shaft section 147, the side flanges thereof are not properly positioned with respect to the wire-guiding member- 156, as well as the 1 25 capstan 9. To this end, the invention contemplates the provision of means, whereby the spool 134 and its shaft section 147 may be moved bodily in the event that the position of the spool 134 is to be adjusted. 'Such means are herein shown, preferably, as comprising-a spool gauge 186 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft section 187, so that the lower edge of the gauge 186 normally rests on the upper side of the wire compartment 7 when out of use. A handle 188 may be provided for raising the spool gauge 186 from this position into one wherein curved side edges 189 and 191 thereof engage one or the other or both side flanges of the spool 134, depending upon 1 whether or not the spool 134 is.properlycentered. 1 The supporting. shaft 187 for the gauge 186 is mounted on a lever arm 192 rigidly secured on an outer end of a shaft 193 suitably supported in spaced bearings afiorded by a bracket 194 bolted orotherwise secured to an underside of the supporting housing 163 for the axially adjustable bearing sleeve 155.

Intermediate the bearings of the bracket 194,

a sleeve 195 is provided which turns with the shaft 193 and which is provided with acam portion 196, as shown in Fig. 12. The cam portion 196 co-acts with an outer end portion of a lever 197. The lever 197 is fulcrumed below the housing member 163- at 198 in a bearing provided by a supporting bracket 199. The lever 197 is conveniently provided with a pair of spaced friction pins 201 which extend up through openings in the lower side of the housing 163 so as to abut against the axially adjustable member 155. A spring 202, which is secured to the shaft 193 and the bracket 194-, is sufiiciently strong to cause the lever 197 to be held in its uppermost position, wherein the frictional pins 201 clamp the bearing member 155 in position in the housing v163, Such frictional engagement, however, is released when the cam portion 196 is moved away from the outer end of the lever 197, due to the turning of the shaft 193 against the force of the spring 202, and the lever 197 is thereby permitted to drop slightly and hence disengage the friction pins 201 from the bearing member 155.

The operation of the apparatus just described is as follows. Assuming, for example, that the position of the spool 134 is to be adjusted to the left, the raising'of the gauge 186 by its handle 188 results in the curved side edge 189 only contacting with the adjacent side flange of the spool 134. The further movement of the handle 183 causes the turning of the lever 192 and hence the shaft 193 against the force of the spring 202. The movement of the shaft 193 causes the actuation of the cam portion 196 away from the end of the lever 197 so as to permit the dropping of said lever 197 and, consequently, the frictional disengagement of the .pins 201 from the bearing member 155, as shown in Fig. 13. Should a further force be now applied to the handle 188, the spool 134, with its shaft section-147 and bearing member 155, is moved slightly to the left until the opposite edge 191 of the gauge 186 contacts with its adjacent side flange. The'spool 134 being now properly centered, the bearing 155 may be again locked in position by the friction pins 201 merely by releasing the handle 188, the spring 202 serving to return the lever arm 192 and the lever 197 to their original positions. While the foregoing spooling mechanism has been described for the purpose of winding wire passing from the capstan of a wire-drawing machine, it is also applicable to unwinding, take up, or let-off apparatus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The general operation of the machine as a whole may be briefly summarized as follows: the wire is first strung on the machine, so that it passes from the supply spool 86 over the guiding pulleys 87 and 88 to the rear idler 15. From here the wire passes through the rear die 14 to the driving or pulley roll 13, where the wire is wound preferably once around the roll and then passed upwardly and over the next idler 15 and then through the next die to the lowerpulling roll 13, where it is again wrapped around this roll, and so on, the wire finally passing upwardly out of the compartment 7 through the finishing die 123 to the capstan 9. From here it passes over the wire-guiding wheel 156 to the spool 134. It is notedthat the stringing of the wire in the wire compartment 7 is greatly facilitated by reason of the fact that the rolls 12 and 13 and the die holder'69 are mounted on supportingelements carriedat their inner ends only and the fact that the rolls and die holders are readily accessible through a door in the front wall of the wire compartment 7. The stringingoperation is also a relatively clean one, inasmuch as the rolls and dies are not immersed in a compound bath.

When the wireshave been strung, the speed of the motor 91 is increased to the normal working value. The pulling roll 13 now serves to draw the wire through the dies 14 and this roll and the capstan 9 are so operated that the speed of thelast pass of wire over the roll 13 is somewhat less than the surface speed of said roll. -Thus, there is slippage on the driving roll 13 for even the fastest pass. Such slippage is particularly desirable in the present machine, so that the lateral movement of the runs of wire, due to the oscillation of the dies, may be facilitated.

Simultaneously with the operation of the driving roll 13, the multiple series of dies 14 are reciprocated, so as to change the entrance angle of the wire at the dies. Hence, loading of the dies is prevented and the free entrance of compound is assured. The oscillatory movement of the dies 14 also causes the lateral shifting of the loops of wire on the driving roll 13, as mentioned above, resulting in an even distribution of the wear on this roll.

Simultaneously with the reciprocation of the dies 14 and therotation of the wire-pulling roll 13, the tubular supporting member 16 (Figs. 6 or 6a) for the idlers 15 is turned at a speed just slightly faster than the wire turns the fastest idler. Thus, the retarding forces on the wire due to the friction of the idlers is eliminated.

During the drawing operation, the compound is supplied to the dies 14 through the supply pipe 74, the housing 72, the tubular member 71 and the surrounding tubular portion of the die holder. The compound, after passing through the dies 14, flows on to the lower roll 13 so as to facilitate the lateral shifting of the loops of wire on said roll. From here, the compound passes into the bottom of the wire compartment 7 and is discharged through a pipe 83 before an appreciable amount accumulates therein.

Simultaneously with the operation of the wiredrawing apparatus in the compartment 7, the capstan 9 is actuated soas' to cause'thewire to pass from the wire compartment .7 through the final finishing die 123. Assuming that motive fluid is being supplied through the nozzle 139 to the rotor 137 of the spooling mechanism the spool 134 winds the wire passing from the capstan 9 thereon. Thiswire is wound evenly and smoothly due to the operation of the wire-guiding member 156 which moves back and forth between the side flanges of the spool 134 simultaneously with the operation of the capstan 9 and the app'aratus in the wire-drawing compartment 7. Attention is directed to the fact that the power for v driving the wire guiding member 156 is derived from the motor 91 and not from the fluid motor which operates the spool 134. .Such arrangement relieves the fluid motorof the additional work of actuating the wire-guiding member 156. Experience has shown that such additional work causes the fluid-motor torque to be less sensitive and regular; a condition which is very undesirable in the finer sizes of wire on which the 7 machine is designed to operate.

During the operation just described, it is noted that the oil pump is'in continuous operation, raising oil from the lower portion of the compartment 5 to the distributor housing 132 from which it may pass by gravity to the'various desired portions of the mechanism in thecompartment 5. Thus, the positive lubrication of the mechanism in this compartment is assured.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a wire-drawing machine, a member about which the wire is passed comprising a plurality of idlers, a rotatable, tubular, supporting shaft therefor, means for rotatably supporting said shaft, and driving means for rotating saidshaft extending therethrough.

2. In a wire-drawing machine, the combination with a wall having an aperture, and a tubular supporting member extending through said aperture, of a'sleeve journaled on said tubular member and a plurality of idlers journaled on said sleeve, and means constituting a labyrinth seal between said sleeve and said wall.

3. In a wire-drawing machine, the combination with a wall having an aperture, and a tubular supporting member extending through said aperture, of a sleeve journaled on said tubular member and a plurality of idlers journaled on said sleeve, means constituting a labyrinth seal between said sleeve and said wall, a driving shaft extending through said tubular supporting member, and removable fluid-tight means for connecting the other end of said shaft and said sleeve for driving said sleeve from said shaft.

4. In a wire-drawing machine, the combination with a wall and a tubular supporting member extending therethrough, a tubular bearing member journaled on said supporting member'and a removable wire-engaging drum mounted on said bearing member, a labyrinth seal between said wall and said bearing member, a driving shaft extendingthrough said tubular supporting memher, and removable fluid-tight means for connecting the outer end of said shaft and said bearing member.

' CHARLES E. TRAXEL. 

